When you need a service of mystery shoppers to review your products, retailing shops, hotels etc, visit this link https://www.mysteryshoppers.org.ng, we are at your service Learn more.
Illustration: Chiara Ghigliazza
ect.
The best steps: To prevent swollen, bleeding gums, make sure you’re vigilant about brushing. But remember to go easy: Too much pressure can lead to more gum recession. And floss as advised below. Older adults who floss regularly have a lower risk of gum disease, according to a 2020 study published in the Journal of Dental Research.
“It helps remove bacteria and food that are caught between the teeth that can cause gum inflammation,” says Tomas Ballesteros, DMD, a professor of dentistry at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. If a problem such as wrist arthritis makes flossing difficult, try a water flosser, a device that aims a stream of water between your teeth.
For existing gum problems, you might need treatment to prevent tooth loss in addition to good dental hygiene. For mild disease, a dentist will typically perform a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing. This generally takes more than one visit and often requires local anesthesia. More extensive gum disease might require surgery to remove damaged bone and stubborn bacteria.
If Your Mouth Is Always Dry
With age, your mouth produces less saliva, Cram says. This can lead to a condition known as dry mouth, which affects 30 percent of people over the age of 65 and 40 percent of those over 80, according to the ADA—and can raise the risk of cavities and gum disease. Certain medications can worsen the problem as well. Sometimes dry mouth is accompanied by a burning or tingling sensation (called burning mouth syndrome), which may be due to a vitamin B or iron deficiency, according to Cram.
The best steps: The first and easiest thing to do is to stay well hydrated, Hewlett says. “Keep a bottle of water with you all the time, and sip on it frequently to keep your mouth moist and wet and hydrated,” he says. Other drinks with no added sugar, like milk or herbal tea, are also fine, but alcohol and caffeine can dry out your mouth. If needed, the ADA recommends that you suck on ice chips.
Chewing on sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candy that contains xylitol has been found to help ease the condition, Sheridan says. Talk to your doctor if you think your dry mouth may be related to medication, and see if you can switch to another drug. For burning mouth, you may want your primary care provider to check your iron and vitamin B levels, Cram says. If you’re deficient, they may recommend a supplement.
A Smart Dental Routine
You already know it’s important to floss daily and brush your teeth gently with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day for 2 minutes at a time.
But which toothbrush is best? While a manual one can do a fine job, you might want to consider an electric toothbrush, says Tomas Ballesteros, DMD. A 2019 study in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology found that using one led to 22 percent less gum recession (a risk factor for gum disease) and 18 percent less tooth decay.
See your dentist regularly. There’s no hard and fast rule; it varies from person to person, but “at the very least it should be once a year,” says Edmond Hewlett, DDS. As you age and dental risk factors increase, it’s likely your dentist will advise a professional cleaning at least twice a year.
e